How Global Shapers are driving digital innovation on International Youth Day

International Youth Day celebrates the hope, optimism and resilience of a young generation of innovators, activists and doers who are improving the state of our world. This year's theme, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development", resonates profoundly in a future increasingly shaped by technological advancement.

Half of the world’s population is under 30, with young people often pioneering digital adoption and development. However, worrying disparities persist. According to the International Telecommunication Union, 2.6 billion people still lack internet access, disproportionately affecting young people in developing regions, especially girls.

Bridging the digital divide is not just a matter of connectivity but a vital step towards ensuring equal opportunities in education, employment and civic engagement.

On International Youth Day 2024, we recognize young people who are using technology to drive positive change, implement lasting solutions and accelerate digital inclusion.

The Global Shapers Community – an initiative of the World Economic Forum – is a network of young leaders organizing collective action in more 500 hubs-based capital cities, rural areas, remote islands and refugee camps.

Since its inception in 2011, more than 30,000 young people aged 18 to 30 have joined hubs worldwide, delivering more than 3,000 projects and engaging 15 million people globally in awareness campaigns and research initiatives on the topics young people care about most.

Around the world, Global Shapers are leveraging digital tools to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from education and employment to accessibility and legal rights.

In Dar es Salaam, Global Shapers are expanding internet access and mobile learning centres across Tanzania. Their project, Niboreshe, has already reached more than 300 students through three centres, with five more planned by 2025. This initiative is not just about providing education; it is a movement toward equity and inclusion, particularly for young women and girls.

Meanwhile, in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, Global Shapers are piloting a new navigation app to help people with reduced mobility identify the most accessible walking routes in their city. This project highlights the power of digital tools to make urban spaces more inclusive, and the data generated by the app will be used by young people to advocate for long-term solutions, ensuring that the city becomes more navigable for everyone.

In Karachi, Pakistan, activists are developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot to equip women with knowledge about their legal protections against harassment in the workplace. This empowers women to understand and assert their rights in a context where such knowledge can be lifesaving.

Similarly, in Kenyan capital Nairobi, Global Shapers have developed a 12-week programme to teach girls to code and create mobile apps to solve real-world problems. In just three years, 170 girls have participated, and the programme is set to expand significantly to teach another 200 girls by 2025.

Meanwhile, in London, UK, Global Shapers are addressing the critical need for cyber skills among young people from diverse backgrounds. They are implementing a model to help youth develop the skills necessary to enter and thrive in the cybersecurity workforce, a sector that is increasingly important as the digital landscape evolves, employment in this area expands and we seek to secure more trustworthy technologies.

Finally, in Khobar, Saudia Arabia, Global Shapers are improving digital literacy and technological training by teaching young people robotics basics through interactive workshops. They also provide career coaching for those interested in securing jobs in emerging areas, including AI and Saudi Arabia’s Industry 4.0.

These examples represent just a fraction of the innovative projects being led by young people for young people around the world.

In more than 100 additional cities, Global Shapers are piloting new models for collective action to empower one million young people with better education, skills and economic opportunities by 2030, contributing to the World Economic Forum's Reskilling Revolution Initiative.

These projects and more are included in the 2023-2024 Global Shapers Community Annual Report, launched on the same day as International Youth Day 2024.

As we celebrate these achievements, we must recognize the need for long-term youth participation and engagement. Young people's contributions to society – whether through community service, innovation or entrepreneurship – are invaluable.

The Global Shapers Community is committed to building youth leaders, accelerating youth action, and amplifying youth voices.

We believe in integrating young people into local, national, and international decision-making processes, including at the World Economic Forum. Our community values the importance of giving young people a voice in the policies and programmes that affect their lives and futures.

As we look toward 2030, the deadline for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, let us continue to support, empower and celebrate young people’s contributions as we work together to build a better world for all.